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Funeral Wednesday In Texas For Actor Sherman Hemsley

Actor Sherman Hemsley speaks at the MTV Networks Upfront 2003 presentation to advertisers at the Theatre at Madison Square Garden May 6, 2003 in New York City. (credit: Scott Gries/Getty Images)

EL PASO (AP) — Services will be held Wednesday in West Texas for actor Sherman Hemsley who died in July but an estate fight delayed his burial.

San Jose Funeral Home in El Paso has announced Hemsley’s funeral will be at noon Wednesday at Cielo Vista Church. Burial will follow at Fort Bliss National Cemetery. Funeral home officials say the services are open to the public.

Hemsley served in the Air Force before turning to acting and gaining fame as George Jefferson on the TV sitcom “The Jeffersons.” He died July 24 of lung cancer.

Hemsley’s will named his longtime friend Flora Enchinton Bernal as his heir. His half-brother from Philadelphia, Richard Thornton, challenged the will.